What Lebanon do we want?

Yesterday while we were in a group, someone asked us, what do you want from Lebanon? Everybody started thinking of a correct answer. The girl continued to say, well is it possible that you have been working and struggling all these years, and you don’t have an idea of what you want from your country?

Well I know, and that’s how I see my country. I want to realize the Lebanon that would meet all my concerns. I want to dare to give birth to a child in this country. I want to leave for future Lebanese a better Lebanon than the one my parents left me. I refuse the culture of war. I want a country that classifies its people according to education and competences, not according to religion, sex, or color. I long for a country that respects elderly and gives them their mere rights

I want a generation that claps for inventions, for science and for arts instead of

clapping for politicians who do nothing but talk. I want a generation that knows how to decide and dares to say no. Is this too much to ask for?

They taught me once that independence is not only a declaration, to be independent is to be able to refuse, is to be able to express your thoughts freely! After all what happened are we independent today?….

When I say this they tell me it’s better to immigrate. How could I? My country, the one which raised me for all these years, made of me what I am now doesn’t deserve that I let it down. Is this the way I’ll pay it back? By immigrating? I don’t think so….

Sarah R. Hajj

March 26, 2008